Ayhab Aldadeedi’s family fled Haifa in 1948. Aldadeedi, born in Iraq, holds the documents showing his Palestinian refugee status. “Nakba, which Nakba? My whole life has been a string of catastrophes,” he says. (Photo: Abed Al Qaisi)
Baharka IDP camp, Iraq, holds over 1,000 displaced Iraqi families. However in one small section, 18 Palestinian refugee families currently reside. Their displacement began 67 years ago with the Nakba, and has continued to 2015 – all the families have fled from ISIS within the last year. For some of the older Palestinian refugees this is their fifth refugee camp in their lifetime, for the younger generation it is their first. For all however, the plight of being a Palestinian refugee doesn’t appear to have an end in sight.
Israel is responsible, but Israel doesn’t take any responsibility for any Palestinian refugees who have the right to return to their own land. And it seems that many do not care to hold them accountable. I pray that changes, soon.
“Palestinian refugees present one of the largest and most protracted cases of displacement in the world. Most Palestinian refugees were displaced in 1947–1949, when the state of Israel established itself by means of military force on the land of Arab towns and villages. However, many other waves of displacement have occurred since, for example during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Palestinians continue to be displaced, both within and from the 1967-occupied Palestinian territory (including East Jerusalem), and within and from the state of Israel itself.
The majority of Palestinian refugees live in Arab countries adjacent to Israel (i.e., Lebanon, Syria and Jordan) and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip). Many have suffered several displacements, and most of them lack adequate protection of their human rights.
Prolonged exile under dire circumstances and repeated conflict in the Middle East have caused some Palestinian refugees to move on to countries outside the Middle East, including Europe and North America, in order to seek protection in states signatories to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and/or the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons.”
Actually, Israel is/has always acted reprehensibly wrt refugees of all origin. They don’t treat Ethiopian Jews that they lured there well. The refugees who come from Africa seeking asylum are treated abominably, despite Israel being a party to the Refugee Convention.
Today’s Washington Post has this article on the front page:
“Israeli government to refugees: Go back to Africa or go to prison”
From “Against Our Better Judgment” by Alison Weir:
“the total direct relief offered…by the Israeli government to date consists of 500 cases of oranges “(ironic when you consider they were stolen from Palestinians anyway).
Thank you, Abed. Your pictures are powerful.
Israel is responsible, but Israel doesn’t take any responsibility for any Palestinian refugees who have the right to return to their own land. And it seems that many do not care to hold them accountable. I pray that changes, soon.
“Palestinian refugees present one of the largest and most protracted cases of displacement in the world. Most Palestinian refugees were displaced in 1947–1949, when the state of Israel established itself by means of military force on the land of Arab towns and villages. However, many other waves of displacement have occurred since, for example during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Palestinians continue to be displaced, both within and from the 1967-occupied Palestinian territory (including East Jerusalem), and within and from the state of Israel itself.
The majority of Palestinian refugees live in Arab countries adjacent to Israel (i.e., Lebanon, Syria and Jordan) and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip). Many have suffered several displacements, and most of them lack adequate protection of their human rights.
Prolonged exile under dire circumstances and repeated conflict in the Middle East have caused some Palestinian refugees to move on to countries outside the Middle East, including Europe and North America, in order to seek protection in states signatories to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and/or the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons.”
– See more at: http://www.refugeelegalaidinformation.org/palestinians-who-fall-under-1951-convention#sthash.yK1skphx.dpuf
Actually, Israel is/has always acted reprehensibly wrt refugees of all origin. They don’t treat Ethiopian Jews that they lured there well. The refugees who come from Africa seeking asylum are treated abominably, despite Israel being a party to the Refugee Convention.
Today’s Washington Post has this article on the front page:
“Israeli government to refugees: Go back to Africa or go to prison”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/toughening-its-stance-toward-migrants-israel-pushes-africans-to-leave/2015/05/14/e1637bce-f350-11e4-bca5-21b51bbdf93e_story.html?hpid=z1
From “Against Our Better Judgment” by Alison Weir:
“the total direct relief offered…by the Israeli government to date consists of 500 cases of oranges “(ironic when you consider they were stolen from Palestinians anyway).